Saturday the 20th December

  Yours truly has been rather inactive blogwise for the last couple of weeks, due to seasonal inertia and clearing up after builders. I did, however, manage a visit with a friend to Roberts Cycles in Croydon and was sorely tempted to consider parting with £3k for a custom made lightweight tourer. This has been filed away for future reference but I recommend a visit for anyone as the staff are so knowledgeable and considerate. There is also a good cafe nearby in Gloucester Road which is also worth a visit if travelling in the direction of Crystal Palace.
  Returning to last weekend and, almost, the shortest day, a few souls took time out from shopping etc to ride with Lynda to Ashstead on a mild if blustery afternoon. I decided to get in some proper exercise and joined Nigel and Godfrey up to Box Hill. We took the "easy" route up through Headley and along the false flats into the wind to the NT centre, which was almost deserted, and after a freezing descent of the zigzag returned via Leatherhead in the gathering darkness.
  Despite feeling rather tired, I was glad I got out and did this ride of around 33 miles from home in total. At this time of year it is always better to use the available daylight to get exercise rather than slumping in front of the TV.